Tour Magdala at Rennes-le-Chateau

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Places are limited, so if you want to come, please book early to avoid disappointment. If demand exceeds expectations, we will arrange an additional tour date to cater for those unable to attend or be accommodated on the first tour.

Unique to this tour is the chance for you to compare many of the locations we visit to photographs taken during Saunière's era or shortly after. This means you will not only see any modern changes, but also see them as Saunière would have.

Exclusive - Rennes-le-Chateau Crypt - Do new GPR Scans reveal entrance steps?

Tread in the adventurous, and at times secretive, footsteps of the mysterious priest, Abbé Bérenger Saunière. Beginning in the tiny hill top village of Rennes-le-Château, Ben Hammott will guide you through the surrounding landscape as he recounts the tale of his many years spent following the trail of the treasure hunt Sauniere left behind for those who could find it.

You will also visit many of the local landmarks, chateau's and places of interest and locations - some exclusive to this tour. See TOUR INFORMATION for a full list.

During the evening, Ben will also entertain you with two exciting presentations that will reveal how he managed to decipher the clues Saunière placed in the decorations of his church dedicated to Mary Magdalene. This includes video footage of his research, his discoveries and the Tomb, never seen before. Also exclusive to Ben Hammott's Mystery Tour is a visit to the actual grotto that appears in the Altar from Sauinere's church, that he himself painted.

Abbé Bérenger Saunière Priest of Rennes le Chateau until his death in 1917

Ariel view of the small village of Rennes-le-Chateau

Brief outline of the Rennes-le-Château Mystery

In 1885 Abbé Bérenger Saunière is appointed parish priest of the tiny hilltop village of Rennes-le-Château.
He was an ambitious young cleric, and probably unimpressed by the dilapidated condition of the ninth century church and the uninhabitable presbytery he found on his arrival. In October of that year Saunière he campaigned against the ruling Republican Party and was sent from the region for a short time as punishment.

     After his return he managed to find enough funds to start the much needed restoration work to his church. He first repaired the holes in the roof and then started on the altar. It is said, that after he removed the heavy stone altar slab, he found some old parchments hidden in one of the two ancient pillars on which it had rested.

      Popular consensus now is that the parchment/s was found in the wooden baluster and not the stone pillar. (See my Rennes le Chateau TIMELINE for more info.)

After the discovery of any parchments, Saunière immediately began digging up the church floor and was later discovered digging in the graveyard in the middle of the night. His housekeeper, Marie Denarnaud, was helping him.

Saunière recorded in his personal diary on 21st September 1891, “...Found a tomb.” Whatever was found in the tomb is unknown, but it seemed to have been something he could profit from as it was only after this year of discovery when he began to spend lots of money.
Now he had the funds he could decorate the church just how he wanted.
He ordered the finest religious statuary from the Giscard factory in Toulouse Although most of the stuff he ordered were off the shelf items, he did add a few unique details, the Demon holding the Holy Water Stoup being one of them. He has also added local landmarks to the paintings either side of the Fleury Tableau and the view from the Altar grotto depicting Mary Magdalene. An inscription Saunière added above the front door reads - “Terribilis est locus iste” (This place is terrible).  The church took five years to complete.

He entertained his invited guests with lavish dinner parties where only the best food, wine and lacquers were served. On 17th January 1917 Saunière had a serious seizure, and shortly before his death summoned the Abbé Jean Rivière to his deathbed to administer the last right and to hear his confession. The priest who heard the confession was so shocked he is said to have rushed from the room. Saunière died on the 22nd January 1917.

But the secret of his wealth did not die with him; Marie Denarnaud also knew the secret. Some years later in 1946, unable to cope with the upkeep and demands of the large estate, Marie sold the domain to Noel Corbu, someone she had become friends with., with the proviso she would be able to live in the presbytery rent free until she died. In return, before she died she would reveal the secret to him. Unfortunately she suffered a debilitating stroke that left her unable to talk or write. She took the secret to the grave with her when she died in 1953. However, previously Marie had hinted to Noel at some aspects of the secret and its great value, with phrases like, “Do not worry Noel, you will be a rich man when I die.”  And “The villagers are walking on enough gold to last 100 years without diminishing it.”

It seems Noel Corbu may have learnt something from her before her death, but it wasn't’t the secret’s location, because he started excavating various parts of the domain. He found nothing and gave up. He opened the villa Bethania as a hotel and called it La Tour. He entertained his guests with the story of the Mysterious Abbé Saunière. To gain publicity for his hotel he contacted a newspaper and they ran a story about the Rennes-le-Château Mystery. It soon reached a wider audience and slowly the village became a popular tourist destination. Many factors pointing to the truth behind Saunière’s wealth are still available for study. But despite the best efforts of countless experts, these mysteries remain hidden. Did Saunière find a legendary religious artifact, a horde of ancient treasure, or some terrible Christian secret? The answers may one day be revealed, but for now, Saunière and the source of his wealth remain a mystery. Or does it?

BLOODLINE MYSTERY TOUR - THE GRAIL LANDS FROM GLASTONBURY TO ROSLIN

May 15th - 21st, 2011

Vist Ben Hammott's extensive website here

Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar

by Ben Hammott

Essential reading to anyone remotely interested in the Rennes-le-Chateau Mystery, or even just a great story of secret codes and treasure hunting. Marvelous! (Gus-USA)

"Great book, buy it!" (Shadowfox)      "Fantastic book, well done Ben." (T.P)

"One of the best books I have read...Beg, borrow or buy this book... you will not be disappointed". (Alan Scott)

100 years ago a French priest embedded clues in his church leading to a secret location.
Those clues have been solved.
That location has been found.
The SECRET is revealed!

Available to ORDER here - Over 660 Pages and over 300 Images

Book information and advance chapters to read

Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar

by Ben Hammot

Feedback

This is best book I have read on the Rennes-le-Chateau subject and the most enjoyable non-fiction book I have ever read. Although it seems to have been written for the non-academic reader, it nevertheless is a comprehensive, scholarly approach to a fascinating subject and reveals many new area of research not covered by other books covering this subject. Anyone who subscribes to some of the myths and pseudo histories involving the mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau should read this book, because you will learn something new.
Ben Hammott's writing style makes the book vastly enjoyable, and in many places, very, very, funny. Anyone who has read the book will know what I mean when I mention the Pontils Tomb Night Raid, utterly hilarious.
With the addition of Hammott's humorous, and sometimes ill-fated, journeys through France, it reads like a travel book in places. But this is not a criticism as the trips are very enjoyable and enables the reader to get an idea of the author's character. It also adds to the story Hammott is telling about his research and discoveries over the years. How I would have liked to be with him on some of his trips as they seem to have been very exciting at times.
Because I don't want to spoil the surprise for those who will read the book, I have purposely given nothing away about the book's content. I read it without really knowing much about it, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I am sure other readers will also. But I will mention it is an exciting treasure hunt that starts with the deciphering of clues hidden in the decorations of an ancient church dedicated to Mary Magdalene.
At over 600 pages and over 300 images, it is very good value for money. As soon as I started reading I did not want to stop. This is definitely a book that keeps you turning the pages, which is unusual for a work of non-fiction.
Even if you have never heard of, or have no interest in, Rennes-le-Chateau, the Knights Templar, treasure hunting or Mary Magdalene, do not let that put you off reading this book. It is not your typical non-fiction prose, it is so much better. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a thrilling enjoyable read. Learning history has never been so fun.
I can also recommend highly Beginnings: A Hunt for Treasure Becomes a Quest for Truth by Ben Hammott. It's an exciting Archaeological Thriller and is his first novel on the same subject. I bought his Lost Tomb book after reading it.

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I don't normally write reviews , but this book has astounded me.
It could have done with rather more stringent editing but nonetheless it has proved to be an enthralling read.
I have read a number of books about the RLC mystery and was amazed read how Ben managed to reach past the extensive esoterica that takes over some of the other books and arrived at a a series of solutions that produced such an amazing result. I look forward to any further information as and when it becomes available.

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I bought this book almost 2 years ago and since then i carried it around with me everywhere. This book is "MY BIBLE". Anyone interested in the whole story of Rennes le Chateau or the holy grail should by this book! It is not just very thrilling, exciting and surprising it is also funny.. I love this book,- it is one of the best books i have read. I even bought a second copy because the first one was already wrecked because i read it so often. If you want to go on the hunt as well,- Ben is giving more than enough clues (he says) to find what he found!!! I do believe whatever Ben thinks he's found. Can't wait for the follow up!!!